Graduate Credit Policies
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Credit Hour Loads
The unit of measure for the valuation of courses is the credit hour. Based upon the federal definition of a credit hour, each credit hour requires one hour of direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours per week of preparation on the part of students for approximately 15 weeks a term. Most courses are valued for three credit hours, i.e., three contact hours per week and at least six hours of preparation. For three-credit-hour courses deployed via different course types, modes of delivery, or calendars, total number of direct contact hours should be equal to or greater than 45 hours with the total of out of class work total equal to or greater than 90 hours. Courses that deviate from this standard must provide documentation illustrating how the number of contact hours and/or work outside the course equate to this standard within the term in which the course is offered.
A full-time load in the fall and spring terms is 9 credit hours for a graduate student. For the summer term (all sessions in the summer term combined) a full-time load is 6 credit hours for a graduate student. On request a graduate student can be certified as full-time for the first or second session of the summer term at 3 credit hours. Individuals who enroll for fewer than these minimum hours are designated as part-time students.
For a student pursuing an M.S. in data science, a full-time load is 9 credit hours in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Individuals who enroll for fewer than 9 credit hours are designated as part-time students. Although classified as part-time students, M.S. in data science students are encouraged to enroll in either a 5-term or 7-term track, and are fully meeting expectations for academic progress at less than 9 credit hours per term.
A graduate student
working on the completion of a thesis, dissertation or performance recital requirement on a full-time or part-time basis;
enrolled in an internship or co-op program;
enrolled as a third-year theatre major working on the completion of required production projects;
or having an instructor appointment as part of a teaching fellowship, but not enrolled for the required number of hours;
may be certified as a full-time or part-time student if the student
is enrolled officially for at least one course and
is recognized by their director or academic dean or the dean of graduate studies as working on the completion of the thesis, dissertation or internship requirement on a full-time or part-time basis.
In other special situations, a student not enrolled for the required number of hours may be certified as a full-time or part-time student if the student is officially enrolled for at least one course and is recognized by the academic dean or director as a full-time or part-time student, and if such recognition is approved by the provost.
Cautionary Note: Federal financial aid agencies and some other agencies require a minimum number of hours of enrollment for full-time status and do not make exceptions for summer, internship, co-op or student-teaching enrollments. Students on financial aid should consult an adviser in the Financial Aid Office regarding minimum enrollment requirements for their situation.
Likewise, international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa should consult an adviser in the International Student & Scholar Services Office regarding minimum enrollment requirements for their situation.
Minimum and Maximum Course Loads. Minimum and maximum course loads allowed are based on the school of record.
Stop Enrollment/Administrative Withdrawal
Insufficient or improper information given by the student on any admission or enrollment form – or academic deficiencies, disciplinary actions and financial obligations to the University – can constitute cause for the student to be determined ineligible to enroll or to be administratively withdrawn.
Transfer Courses from Other Institutions
For most masters programs, no more than six hours of work from another institution shall apply toward fulfilling the degree requirements for the program at SMU. Some exceptions apply and standards for doctoral programs may vary. Students should refer to specific program and school policies regarding the applicability of eligible transfer work to the respective graduate program.